Aaron Starmer
@aaronstarmer.bsky.social
Books, movies and existential crises.
YOU ARE NOW OLD ENOUGH TO HEAR THIS, NIGHT SWIMMING, SPONTANEOUS, RIVERMAN TRILOGY, LOCKER 37, MATH MYSTERIES, A MILLION VIEWS, THE ONLY ONES, MEME, DWEEB and travel books you haven't read.
www.aaronstarmer.com
YOU ARE NOW OLD ENOUGH TO HEAR THIS, NIGHT SWIMMING, SPONTANEOUS, RIVERMAN TRILOGY, LOCKER 37, MATH MYSTERIES, A MILLION VIEWS, THE ONLY ONES, MEME, DWEEB and travel books you haven't read.
www.aaronstarmer.com
Pinned
Aaron Starmer
@aaronstarmer.bsky.social
· Feb 21
Night Swimming
www.bridgesidebooks.com
So if you're interested in a 1990s tale of young love, trespassing, and enchanted bodies of water, give this one a try. Order a signed copy from Bridgeside Books (U.S. only) and I will be forever thankful. www.bridgesidebooks.com/item/3bfSPEK...
THE SWANS.
My new novel about true crime podcasts, off-kilter teen romances, and big, beautiful, angry birds. Preorder…now!
My new novel about true crime podcasts, off-kilter teen romances, and big, beautiful, angry birds. Preorder…now!
September 10, 2026 at 3:13 PM
THE SWANS.
My new novel about true crime podcasts, off-kilter teen romances, and big, beautiful, angry birds. Preorder…now!
My new novel about true crime podcasts, off-kilter teen romances, and big, beautiful, angry birds. Preorder…now!
Here's an idea. Publishers collecting 50% of the Anthropic claim and raking in millions, how about applying that money to marketing authors' new books, or setting up new contracts? The "we don't have the budget for that" excuse will ring a little hollower this year.
September 4, 2026 at 1:52 PM
Here's an idea. Publishers collecting 50% of the Anthropic claim and raking in millions, how about applying that money to marketing authors' new books, or setting up new contracts? The "we don't have the budget for that" excuse will ring a little hollower this year.
Reposted by Aaron Starmer
One day, this publisher's name will be a distant memory that no longer brings me intense frustration.
That day is not today.
If you're an Albert Whitman author who has a book in the Anthropic case, you should go check your email in case they're trying to claim 100% of the $$ for your books too.
That day is not today.
If you're an Albert Whitman author who has a book in the Anthropic case, you should go check your email in case they're trying to claim 100% of the $$ for your books too.
September 4, 2026 at 1:28 PM
One day, this publisher's name will be a distant memory that no longer brings me intense frustration.
That day is not today.
If you're an Albert Whitman author who has a book in the Anthropic case, you should go check your email in case they're trying to claim 100% of the $$ for your books too.
That day is not today.
If you're an Albert Whitman author who has a book in the Anthropic case, you should go check your email in case they're trying to claim 100% of the $$ for your books too.
Time to learn to coach hockey.
September 3, 2026 at 1:22 PM
Time to learn to coach hockey.
Reposted by Aaron Starmer
Nancy By Ernie Bushmiller
August 28,1959
August 28,1959
August 28, 2026 at 1:13 PM
Nancy By Ernie Bushmiller
August 28,1959
August 28,1959
I’m gonna make you hear a guitar riff in 3…2…1:
Slow ride…
Slow ride…
August 26, 2026 at 8:57 PM
I’m gonna make you hear a guitar riff in 3…2…1:
Slow ride…
Slow ride…
SPONTANEOUS is 10 years old this week, which I’m pretty sure is the oldest a book can ever be.
August 25, 2026 at 8:25 PM
SPONTANEOUS is 10 years old this week, which I’m pretty sure is the oldest a book can ever be.
All of this is spot-on, but I'd also add that like in all industries, relationships are a huge factor. When you have the support of a big author/editor/PR rep it can tip the scales because the people who make decisions start to listen more. And sometimes this simply comes down to friendships.
My biggest frustration with writing is that quite often, the SWOOP that takes a book from midlist to BIG DEAL is pure luck, and I personally can't do anything to make it happen. Publishing is not a meritocracy. It's skill + time + luck, and all you can do is be in position for possible liftoff.
August 20, 2026 at 2:42 PM
All of this is spot-on, but I'd also add that like in all industries, relationships are a huge factor. When you have the support of a big author/editor/PR rep it can tip the scales because the people who make decisions start to listen more. And sometimes this simply comes down to friendships.
Reposted by Aaron Starmer
Worth reading because it’s fantastically creative, with a healthy dose of weird.
TITLE: You Are Now Old Enough to Hear This
AUTHOR: @aaronstarmer.bsky.social
AGENT: @michaelbourret.bsky.social
PUB: Penguin Workshop, 2026
#kidlit #mglit #booksky #middlegrade #bookrec #mg
TITLE: You Are Now Old Enough to Hear This
AUTHOR: @aaronstarmer.bsky.social
AGENT: @michaelbourret.bsky.social
PUB: Penguin Workshop, 2026
#kidlit #mglit #booksky #middlegrade #bookrec #mg
July 26, 2026 at 1:36 AM
Worth reading because it’s fantastically creative, with a healthy dose of weird.
TITLE: You Are Now Old Enough to Hear This
AUTHOR: @aaronstarmer.bsky.social
AGENT: @michaelbourret.bsky.social
PUB: Penguin Workshop, 2026
#kidlit #mglit #booksky #middlegrade #bookrec #mg
TITLE: You Are Now Old Enough to Hear This
AUTHOR: @aaronstarmer.bsky.social
AGENT: @michaelbourret.bsky.social
PUB: Penguin Workshop, 2026
#kidlit #mglit #booksky #middlegrade #bookrec #mg
I've published 16 books for young readers and received at least as many starred reviews. But none of my books has ever been officially reviewed by Horn Book. I think a few have appeared in the guide, but otherwise...zilch. Did I make an enemy there once upon a time? One of life's great mysteries...
July 21, 2026 at 7:42 PM
I've published 16 books for young readers and received at least as many starred reviews. But none of my books has ever been officially reviewed by Horn Book. I think a few have appeared in the guide, but otherwise...zilch. Did I make an enemy there once upon a time? One of life's great mysteries...
I know they probably meant to write "reread" but in its present form this works as a deadly accurate review of ALL of my books.
July 1, 2026 at 9:39 PM
I know they probably meant to write "reread" but in its present form this works as a deadly accurate review of ALL of my books.
Writer: I'm thinking the headline should be JAWS NOW STREAMING
Editor: Hmm. I don't know. Do you have anything way stupider?
Editor: Hmm. I don't know. Do you have anything way stupider?
July 1, 2026 at 9:12 PM
Writer: I'm thinking the headline should be JAWS NOW STREAMING
Editor: Hmm. I don't know. Do you have anything way stupider?
Editor: Hmm. I don't know. Do you have anything way stupider?
Modern slang has made copy editing notes both confusing and confrontational.
Copy Editor: Cap?
Me: Stet! Why would I lie about kleenex?
Copy Editor: Cap?
Me: Stet! Why would I lie about kleenex?
June 23, 2026 at 12:50 PM
Modern slang has made copy editing notes both confusing and confrontational.
Copy Editor: Cap?
Me: Stet! Why would I lie about kleenex?
Copy Editor: Cap?
Me: Stet! Why would I lie about kleenex?
And so the Starmer name will once again fade back into obscurity. As we are accustomed...
June 22, 2026 at 6:45 PM
And so the Starmer name will once again fade back into obscurity. As we are accustomed...
It's heartening to see the publishing world is taking some big chances on smaller, more personal stories.
June 18, 2026 at 6:29 PM
It's heartening to see the publishing world is taking some big chances on smaller, more personal stories.
Reposted by Aaron Starmer
Middle grade book You Are Now Old Enough To Hear This by @aaronstarmer.bsky.social. Holy moly, this was so good! Like reading Riverman again. A wonderfully strange book about family mysteries which seems like it's going four or five different directions and yet manages to make it all fit in the end.
June 12, 2026 at 12:32 PM
Middle grade book You Are Now Old Enough To Hear This by @aaronstarmer.bsky.social. Holy moly, this was so good! Like reading Riverman again. A wonderfully strange book about family mysteries which seems like it's going four or five different directions and yet manages to make it all fit in the end.
Me, giving contract advice to debut authors.
May 27, 2026 at 2:09 PM
Me, giving contract advice to debut authors.
Wanna feel old? How about this? The giant baby from 2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY is now old enough to rent a giant space car.
May 14, 2026 at 5:49 PM
Wanna feel old? How about this? The giant baby from 2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY is now old enough to rent a giant space car.
It's hard to believe that this company could publish a quality children's book in only 3 weeks! Until you notice their impeccable attention to detail...
May 14, 2026 at 4:59 PM
It's hard to believe that this company could publish a quality children's book in only 3 weeks! Until you notice their impeccable attention to detail...
The great thing about being someone who has an opinion on the state of the children's book industry is that I can lean over and whisper that opinion to my dog, and she can turn to me and nod knowingly, as if to say, "right again, old friend," and I can snap my fingers and get on with my day.
May 8, 2026 at 5:01 PM
The great thing about being someone who has an opinion on the state of the children's book industry is that I can lean over and whisper that opinion to my dog, and she can turn to me and nod knowingly, as if to say, "right again, old friend," and I can snap my fingers and get on with my day.
Reposted by Aaron Starmer
there’s an in depth discussion of this in Braiding Sweetgrass, but ramps in particular don’t have a good seed dispersal mechanism and can only move as far as their seed-bearing stems allow them.
Wiping out a patch might be a millennia-long local extinction event
Wiping out a patch might be a millennia-long local extinction event
Ex: Ramps are growing in popularity thanks to having a bougie moment. I've seen too many pics from new foragers of their haul, which includes the bulbs, rhizomes, AND roots of the plant, which will now never grow back in that spot. I've seen too many pics of ramp patches completely cleaned out.
May 3, 2026 at 6:55 PM
there’s an in depth discussion of this in Braiding Sweetgrass, but ramps in particular don’t have a good seed dispersal mechanism and can only move as far as their seed-bearing stems allow them.
Wiping out a patch might be a millennia-long local extinction event
Wiping out a patch might be a millennia-long local extinction event
Upper Valley! Join me and other finalists for the Vermont Book Award tomorrow night (Thursday, April 30 at 7PM) at Norwich Bookstore in Norwich, VT. Fiction! Poetry! Young Adult! Graphic Novel! History! Middle Grade! Memoir! What more could you ask for?
April 29, 2026 at 8:16 PM
Upper Valley! Join me and other finalists for the Vermont Book Award tomorrow night (Thursday, April 30 at 7PM) at Norwich Bookstore in Norwich, VT. Fiction! Poetry! Young Adult! Graphic Novel! History! Middle Grade! Memoir! What more could you ask for?
I feel like I’ve been neglecting NIGHT SWIMMING as I focus on my newest book, but it’s up for the Vermont Award this weekend and it’s out in paperback tomorrow. Rumor is that bookstores will accept your money if you try to buy it!
April 27, 2026 at 9:49 PM
I feel like I’ve been neglecting NIGHT SWIMMING as I focus on my newest book, but it’s up for the Vermont Award this weekend and it’s out in paperback tomorrow. Rumor is that bookstores will accept your money if you try to buy it!
Reposted by Aaron Starmer
Fast Five Interview: Aaron Starmer
Author Aaron Starmer joins us to talk about his new book, YOU ARE NOW OLD ENOUGH TO HEAR THIS.
teenlibrariantoolbox.com/2026/04/21/f... @tltkaren.bsky.social @aaronstarmer.bsky.social
Author Aaron Starmer joins us to talk about his new book, YOU ARE NOW OLD ENOUGH TO HEAR THIS.
teenlibrariantoolbox.com/2026/04/21/f... @tltkaren.bsky.social @aaronstarmer.bsky.social
Fast Five Interview: Aaron Starmer
Author Aaron Starmer joins us to talk about his new book, YOU ARE NOW OLD ENOUGH TO HEAR THIS.
teenlibrariantoolbox.com
April 21, 2026 at 11:00 AM
Fast Five Interview: Aaron Starmer
Author Aaron Starmer joins us to talk about his new book, YOU ARE NOW OLD ENOUGH TO HEAR THIS.
teenlibrariantoolbox.com/2026/04/21/f... @tltkaren.bsky.social @aaronstarmer.bsky.social
Author Aaron Starmer joins us to talk about his new book, YOU ARE NOW OLD ENOUGH TO HEAR THIS.
teenlibrariantoolbox.com/2026/04/21/f... @tltkaren.bsky.social @aaronstarmer.bsky.social